Links and TwoMovies future (1951 views, 70 replies)

You know that TwoMovies is often being labeled as a pirate site. A lot of people like such types of sites but this is a real problem for us, for owners. We can't move forward the site. Why? A lot of problems in a lot of aspects. Every time we update the site I'm in a little depression because I understand that some day this site will be dead. Because companies who own movies don't like such pirates sites. Now even linking to pirated stuff being considered as pirating. I'm also not a child and I understand that all illegal stuff is not OK. Imagine yourself on the place of a movie producer.

Another problem that this niche now is really saturated with low quality websites. Clones, sites with just players.

So, what's the value of TwoMovies without links? Is there any value at all?
What do you think about the problem?

I do see a lot of sites that are simple redirects to gosh knows what. I feel for you as an owner. Every update must feel like a risk. Maybe there could be some ways to help hide us as a community. Sad to suggest this one first but maybe taking movies out of the name would help along with just not putting movies in search feeds attached. Word of mouth has always been a great tool. Those of us that are members could and would invite trusted friends here. Visitors well, let them be surprised to find a movie section. I don't know what else to say. It is a monumental problem that will get worse. On the other hand your understanding of pirate law is to be commended. My thoughts tend more to the forty plus dollars for two people to watch a movie have a small drink and popcorn is beyond all but a few peoples budget. Priced themselves out of a huge market of people with greed. Low quality websites for sure there is a plethora, some risky to computers. I would be at a loss as to what to do half a day if I din't have this little home to come to. ... I've been coming here a while now. I have my coffee here in the morning with friends. It will be a major adjustment for many. If you change names, locations or anything!! please let your faithfuls know!
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Those are some good suggestions, Fortunate1.

I must sat that as green as I am at technology/computers and such.... I have been around. I have seen a lot sites that offer to redirect. Most of them, like about 97% of them are after something. Always trying some new formula to cheat it's users...

What I have never seen is the devotion shown by both staff and members to a site like this. The constancy of the amazingly high count on the Users online says it all.

As far as links go. Isn't there some way of reaching an agreement with certain ones that your site has shown such devotion to for example Openload. Can they tell that/when it is your site redirecting to them? Do they have any way of keeping record of that information?

Seems to me like the easy solution is simply hosting the website outside the U.S. in particularly uncooperative nations. There's no international law that states they have to abide with U.S. Copyright / Piracy laws.

Then you still have the issue of your identity, but again if you make it hard enough, they more than likely won't go through the legal hassle of shutting a relatively small website or arresting you.

Servers are relatively expensive though.

I think TwoMovies has a lot of value besides links. The links aren't the ONLY reason I visit this site BUT they are the MAIN reason. This conversation makes me sad. You just have to outsmart them Dr. E and I hope you can.

Although I don't understand the important details, I do know that this site is much more than just movies for me, and for many others as well. I'd be lost without it. I truly hope that there is a solution to the problems that eventually may make it that we lose my (and others) second home.

I have been here 8 years and I have had the best of times using this site. Thank you everyone who has made this possible. I personally would not use the site without movies or shows. I honestly do not pay much mind to anything else here.

I have been here for all of 5 seconds and have poked my nose in a few places. I think this is a wonderful place - something for everyone even if you weren't looking for it. I enjoy the games that I discovered recently and the banter is A+. I don't connect with chat nor news offerings but I can see people are passionate about things so that can't be a bad thing. Above all I value the recommendations and insights into this form of art which has helped me in many ways and left me confused in other ways. How can so many sane people like what I would consider bad movies? But I am trying to listen to their reasons and some day well...someday. Is there a way of raising money on the site by setting up an advert that we could click on each time we watch a film. But a 2M ad controlled by 2M. I am no expert but this feels like a good product that is doing a good job.

Ah, I miss ye olde Picasa days..

I feel yer pain. Having been a part of similar sites that suffered the same fate, I was super pleased to find this site a few years ago. Movie studios just have too big a $$ punch to outrun. Granted, although I rarely watch new releases here, it's nice to have them so well categorized. That said, let's face it..you guys aren't the only game in town, so to speak. Also, I would think they'd shut down the hosting sites first. There's just so many other ways and sites to handle, how big of a priority is here? Kodi, Firesticks, M3u etc, etc, not to mention at least a dozen other sites I can think of off the top of my head walking the same tightrope. This one is the best organized and easiest to use so, kudos to you Sir. However this plays out, Good luck.

Well I wouldn't know anything about how to run a website, specially one that may not be legal! You bad boy lol but I know this much, it took me along time to find this site! When I go to watch some movies and they have a links from 6 years ago, I'm like awwww why didn't I know you then! Once I did find this site I was in love! And not just because there are movie links to just about every movie you can think of, but because of the community, people that are here, have a passion for movies as much as I do. There may be sites like this, but I don't know of them and well I feel a little but special for finding this site! I just want to thank you for all your hard work, I don't know you, but I admire you for what you do. I also appreciate you for not tolerating any crap on here, it makes me feel like I can have a say and be protected at the same time, as long as I'm following the rules to, which I agree with. You don't get that sort of hospitality and protection any where on the big wide web. ... So thank you Doc I would be absolutely gutted if this site died.
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Made very good friends here, now will lose them all

I won't pretend to know everything on this issue, the legality, piracy, etc., But I was surprised that TM wanted members to promote the site so much, even giving members unique links makING it easier to do so, aimply because in the past many sites were shut down from too many people doing spreading the word and it also getting to the wrong people. I just assumed things had changed in that area as far as sites like this one, but apparently not. Even though I've become friends with a couple fantastic people, the main reason for using TM was and still is the movies. I'd say my use is about 90% movies 10% everything else.. Without the movies I'd probably still occassionally use the site, but it would be way less and eventually get to about once every week or 2 and that would only be to check my inbox. but the more I used TM, the less I used FB. Minus my FB friends, TM pretty much had all I I definitely wouldn't be a happy camper, but what can ya do??It never fails. ... When I find a site or anything that I love, some how, some way, it gets taken away. I know nothing lasts forever, but hopefully TM will come close. I'll gladly do anything I can to help avoid it shutting down, and I know I'm not the only one. just let us know.
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Http is becoming obsolete as far as distributing unlawful content. Unless you can strike a deal with a country that tolerates the theft of Western copyrighted content to host your site, then you're an easy target. In the old days, lack of knowledge kept LEA away from most web sites, but now they're catching up. TOR was useful for a while, but it's been compromised.

NNTP still has a strong community of "sharers", but with fewer and fewer ISP's hosting Usenet servers, it's come down to a few pay for access companies(Giganews, etc.) to host and they're in the same danger as Web companies from court orders.

VPN's are fairly safe, but LEA/CIA is hard at work to crack them. Just like they did with TOR. Still your best bet at this point for the user. That doesn't help the web hoster though.

Alternate transfer protocols will need to be established in order to avoid public scrutiny. Also, keeping a protocol from the public's knowledge is a key element. 80% of the Web is unlisted, or Dark. That means that search engines can't see them. You have to have been given the address in order to even know that it exists. However, that only works for a small group of people. Too much traffic and you're exposed.
...
I think in the short term, people are going to use messaging apps to spread unlawful content. Basically, adapt or die.
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I'm fairly new here. I've used dozens of similar sites in the past and have never come across the detail and care that is put into this site! I don't go toIMDb anymore since they shut down their message boards and this fills that need for me, I've gotten wonderful recommendations off this site!

I just want you guys to know that if you had to add more advertisements or have a membership where you pay a monthly (or even 6 month one lump sum or one full year fee upfront) fee I'd be more than happy to contribute!

I'm afraid of saying why else I love this site....(I'm sure everyone knows why) but I want you guys to know you are doing a terrific job and we appreciate all your hard work! ❤️😎👍

Well it could always be a place for people to discuss tv, movies and life like they do now. But without doubt this a one of the best websites and I've shown many many people this site. I use this site ( have done for many years ) along with Netflix. For me personally I don't deal bad for watching movies hear as I own over 3000 movies and shows and will buy anything I've enjoyed on hear. They get my money . I hope the future is bright for this site. I understand the issues and work involved and most users appreciate it. X

Two Movies without links would be fairly pointless given that's what its main purpose is.

How about hosting the actual links on another domain and just have a 'Links' button that opens a new tab with links for a given episode (or even an iframe?..). That way if the links site is taken down you can change the domain for it and Two Movies itself will have a degree of separation from the links to protect it.

Maybe link shortening services could also play a part - surely the DCMA can't cover links to links to links?.. If so the whole web would collapse

I may think there's a purpose to a twomovies without links, but as a website (not attempting to discourage or be mean here) there wouldn't be much as you'd probably lose about 90% +/- of your userbase.
As for solutions (which I understand wasn't entirely part of the question so forgive me for going a bit off topic here) the way I see it there are three decent ones that could at least help for now.

1. Make this a membership site (which will still probably lose about 70% of the users realistically, but it would help and keep the most dedicated around while helping to provide such a service.
2. A donation option. This won't provide a long term answer honestly and still won't provide the fees to stand against corporate producers and/or government entitities that will eventually crack down on sites, but it's a start and many more will be happy to help (and in the event of an 'emergency' you really might raise the fees you needed if it was a choice.
... 3. (And this is unheard of so far, so bear with me) What if you find a way to 'rebrand' the site as legal? Advertisers are paying millions to billions of dollars online per year to get their ads seen. With your large userbase if you found a way to connect with some of these for now (and slowly add more/better sources later) you could manage to pay fees to/work with movie companies while keeping it free or at least cheaper for users. I have a few longer drawn out ideas on how that could work but you get the idea for now...

Anyway, just my two cents worth for what it's worth, and let me just close by saying that I've enjoyed this site for many years (and reasons) and hopefully look forward to many more years with it (although I only recently joined as a member, I've been a user for many many years).
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